If you wish to make a complaint about the care or service provided by your dentist or dental surgery, contact the person responsible for the practice complaints procedure. Your dentist will try to resolve your complaint.

Complaining about NHS dental treatment

If you wish to make a complaint about a dentist or dental practice, try to resolve it directly with them first. Contact the dental surgery's practice manager with details of your complaint. You can complain in writing, by email or by speaking to someone.

Your complaint must be made within 12 months of receiving treatment.

If this doesn't resolve the problem, or you would rather not raise the issue directly with the practice, you can also complain to NHS England, which is responsible for NHS dental services.

The PHSO makes the final decision on complaints that haven't been resolved by NHS England. You can call on 0345 015 4033 or use the PHSO's secure online form to raise your complaint (this only applies to NHS services in England).

You can find further information and support for making a complaint from:

the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the CQC does not settle individual disputes, but your feedback about a practice helps it to decide when, where and what to inspect

Complaining about private dental treatment

If you wish to make a complaint about private dental services, contact the practice manager of the private dental surgery. Your complaint must be made within 12 months of receiving treatment.

If your complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, you may want to consider contacting the General Dental Council, which sets standards of conduct and regulates all dental professionals in the UK. It may be able to investigate your concerns.

You can also contact the Dental Complaints Service on 020 8253 0800 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or visit its website for more information.